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Anton Ferdinand (left) with his brother Rio Ferdinand on the football pitch. Credit: PA Wire

In a wide-ranging statement released by the Ferdinand's management team, NEW ERA GLOBAL SPORTS, the pair have expressed their desire to "work with football's existing organisations towards the betterment of the game and to achieve immediate action".

In addition, they have claimed the Kick it Out organisation, whilst doing good work in the past, needs to change and have offered to work with it to make it "more relevant in its fight to stamp out racism in football".

The statement said: "It has been a year since the incident at Loftus Road. During that time, some of the deep divisions that exist in football have been exposed.

"In the coming months there will be ongoing discussions, we are sure, on finding a way forward.

"We intend to participate in these discussions, along with numerous other current and ex professionals of all races, from the grass roots upwards, across the football community as a whole."

Jason Roberts (left) was one of a number of players to boycott the 'Kick It Out' t-shirts.

Players' chief Gordon Taylor has announced a six-point action plan to deal with racism in football after criticism from some members.

The PFA chief executive says the union wants tougher penalties for racist abuse including making it potentially a sackable offence, culprits ordered to attend awareness programmes and a form of the NFL's 'Rooney rule' to boost the number of black coaches and managers.

But there have been suggestions that the pair resolved their differences at a meeting yesterday morning and Ferdinand did train with the remainder of his team-mates at Carrington ahead of tomorrow night's game.

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) chairman said players are entitled to take a stance over racism.

As one of the bodies which funds Kick It Out, the PFA also defended Rio Ferdinand in the face of possible sanctions from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson said Ferdinand's decision not to wear the t-shirt was "embarrassing" and promised to "deal with it".

PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We will definitely monitor the [United] situation very closely and make sure Rio Ferdinand's rights as a human being, never mind as a footballer, are not undermined in this position.

"Everyone has a right to free speech - just like you can't coerce anyone into shaking hands, you can't make somebody wear a T-shirt - although I do personally believe that joining in with the campaign is the best way forward.

"And then for all these players to get together and put what it is they want down on paper so we together as a union - all the players, one with another - can make those changes and move forward."

Queen's Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand was joined by a number of his team-mates who did did not wear t-shirts in support of the Kick It Out anti-racism campaign ahead of their Barclays Premier League clash with Everton.

Ferdinand was joined in not wearing the t-shirt today by Rangers team-mates Shaun Wright-Phillips and Junior Hoilett, following the stance taken by Ferdinand's brother Rio prior to Manchester United's game against Stoke yesterday and by Reading striker Jason Roberts.

Everton's Nigeria international Victor Anichebe was another who decided against showing support towards Kick It Out at Loftus Road, along with team-mate Sylvain Distin.

Anton Ferdinand, 27, was the victim of racial abuse from Chelsea skipper John Terry in a league match last October.

Terry has accepted a four-match suspension and £220,000 fine relating to the incident earlier this week.